Will battery safety be compromised by Indian electric vehicle (EV) makers as the industry refuses to comply with the government order on battery safety standards and will this lead to people shying away from EVs, especially two-wheelers?
Deadline to comply with EV battery safety tests extended
The Indian government had recently extended the deadline to obtain mandatory certification on battery safety tests by six months.
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| European nations and the US have stringent EV battery safety laws. So, an electric vehicle battery fire like the one in India (above) are rare in Western countries. |
The certification was compulsory for vehicle makers from April 1, 2023, for getting the benefits of subsidies under various EV promotion schemes. The new deadline is now October 1, 2023.
No Indian EV player complied with safety norms
All Indian EV players failed to get their certifications done. These norms were aimed at enhancing human safety of the battery used in EVs.
Types of safety checks for EVs
Three levels of EV battery checks are required — the cell, battery management system or BMS and the battery pack.
As per the government notification a few months ago, there are six new tests for cells, including impact test, temperature cycling, shock, vibration, fire exposure, and altitude simulation. There are 11 new tests for the BMS and five for the battery pack level.
Claiming incentives for EVs
These new testing parameters were made mandatory for being eligible for government incentives under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME-II) as well as the production-linked incentives (PLI) schemes.
These benefits are for automobiles and auto components as well as advanced chemistry cells.
Why the need for battery safety standards?
These regulations came in the wake of electric vehicle batteries (especially of e-scooters) catching fire and even exploding, killing several people.
There were instances of fire (and in some cases explosions) in vehicles of Okinawa Autotech, Ola Electric, Pure EV, and Boom Motors as well as Tata Motors’ Nexon EV.
The intention of these battery testing standards is to ensure the safety and reliability of batteries used in EVs.
Call to lower standards
But the industry claims that these standards are too stringent and difficult to comply with.
Although automobile associations have called for lowering these standards, the norms are unlikely to see much revision, according to insiders in the government.
Which ministry looks after what
The ministry of heavy industries in the Indian government formulates norms so that EV makers can claim incentives.
On the other hand, the Union transport ministry’s guidelines are laid mainly for vehicle manufacturing.
E-Vroooom’s views
International EV players in Europe and the US follow stringent standards.
So, the chances of batteries catching fire or even exploding there are almost nil. Nations in these regions can safely go ahead with their EV plans without putting anyone at risk of battery explosions or fires.
Whatever the cost, Indian electric vehicle players must be made to comply with these norms.
If the electric vehicle companies don’t comply with these regulations, even the government should not press the nation to go fully electric by a certain date.
This will make people vulnerable to the unsafe batteries and endanger lives.
Non-compliance may lead to many more battery fires or explosions in the future, and this could be devastating, prompting people to shy away from EVs.
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